In 2017, our monthly Investigative Team newsletter highlighted more than 120 watchdog journalism stories from across Wisconsin. Here are 10 favorites produced by USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporters:

More kids separated from addict parents

Based on months of interviews and government records, reporters Chris Mueller and Keegan Kyle revealed in July that Wisconsin has seen an alarming rise in children being separated from their parents because of drug abuse. The investigation found concerns with caseload levels in some counties, how state authorities track drug-related separations and a shortage of foster parents.

Green Bay landlords rack up unpaid fines

Illustrating a gap in government oversight, reporter Jonathan Anderson wrote in November about a Green Bay landlord who owes over $43,000 in past due fines for a lengthy list of housing-related code violations. The landlord hasn’t made a payment toward the debt since 2012 but has taken tenants to court over their unpaid bills.

Mental health staff short in schools

As part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin’s Kids in Crisis series, reporters Rory Linnane and Jen Zettel in March examined state data on school staffing levels and found troubling shortages. While a national group advises one social worker for every 250 students, in Wisconsin there is about one social worker for every 1,562 students. State lawmakers later boosted funding for school mental health staff and training.

Fatal shootings by officers rise

A bystander caught in an officer's line of fire at an Appleton bar and a gunman shot after he went on a rampage in the Wausau area were among the 24 people killed by police officers this year. Reporters Alison Dirr and Noell Dickmann tracked down each case and pressed authorities to explain why the number of fatal shootings has climbed. The story was most recently updated after a December shooting.

After disaster, state pushes dam safety

Wisconsin has never had a death because of a dam failure. But in May, reporter Eric Litke found about 200 dams in Wisconsin were classified as high-hazard, meaning loss of life is probable if it fails. Litke examined state efforts to monitor and improve dams across the state, illustrating the process through the lens of contentious repairs to a dam in Ogdensburg.

More drug users (but not drug dealers) busted

While Wisconsin’s drug epidemic has become increasingly evident over the past decade, there has been no recent increase in arrests of drug dealers statewide, reporter Keegan Kyle found in September after analyzing state data. Police authorities said drug traffickers are getting craftier and cops are putting more focus on high-level dealers.

Deadline looms for 'hellhole' trailer park to clean up

In May, after five months of investigation, reporter Nora Hertel documented disturbing conditions at a mobile home park where Schofield officials had issued 350 code violations and tenants reported safety concerns. One resident said she fell ill with pneumonia twice after a window broke and it took 14 months for park staff to repair it.

Teacher: 'Too dark-skinned' to play Lincoln

In July and September, reporters Jonathan Anderson and Melissa Siegler exposed Marshfield school employees accused of discriminatory casting in student performances. In one case, a teacher was reprimanded after she allegedly told students they couldn’t play Abraham Lincoln due to the color of their skin. Another case involved an all-white cast for "The Sound of Music."

Over 2,400 untested rape kits involve possible child victims

For the past two years, reporter Keegan Kyle has been the state's unofficial chronicler of an effort to test thousands of rape kits that were never submitted to crime labs. In September, after obtaining state data about the backlog, he revealed over 2,400 kits involve possible child victims of sexual assault. The revelation made national headlines.

About the Investigative Team: Reporters Keegan Kyle and Eric Litke are members of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Investigative Team. Their work is regularly featured by Gannett-owned newspapers in Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Manitowoc, Marshfield, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. They can be reached at kkyle@gannett.com and elitke@gannett.com.